CARL FROCH V JERMAIN TAYLOR
Venue: Mashantucket, Connecticut Date: Sunday 26 April Start: Approx. 0300 BST Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Nottingham

By Robin Chipperfield BBC Radio Nottingham

Froch is less than three days away from his title fight with Jermain Taylor

The sight of Carl Froch walking out of the hotel yesterday gave another insight into how he has moved onto a different level in the world of boxing.

On an overcast morning in deepest Connecticut, Froch strode into a huge, black, stretched limousine in sunglasses, looking as though he was auditioning for the role played by Tom Cruise in a 2009 remake of 'Top Gun'.

His confident swagger from revolving door to limo showed how much he is beginning to relish being world champion and everything that comes with it.

His demeanour suggested that he demands respect and, given what he has achieved so far, he has earned it.

"The boy from the 'burbs", as he called himself in a recent BBC Radio Nottingham interview, has come a long way.

The stretched limo was taking Froch and his management team on the three-hour drive south to a news conference in New York.

There, Froch was to be interviewed by US broadcasters Showtime - an important step for him as he attempts to develop a reputation on this side of the Atlantic.

If he can combine the confidence he shows in the ring with a likeable personality out of it, then he will hope to make his name over here.

But the fight on Saturday night is getting ever-closer and Froch does seem in a relaxed frame of mind, eager to get on with the real business.

606: DEBATE Froch wins this one, Taylor ain't much, just a lot of hype, apart from losing twice to Pavlik mnixon10

Whilst recording a short interview with him this morning, I sensed that he would have preferred a day of relaxation in the MGM Grand to a six-hour round trip, even in a comfy limo. But the fierce determination is there.

Whilst Froch appeared relaxed, I did worry about the well-being of his promoter Mick Hennessy. He seemed genuinely relieved that there would be some UK television coverage of the fight, albeit delayed coverage.

But I also wondered if the nerves ahead of the big night were getting to him. I did not notice his hands shaking, but that can be the only explanation for the constant dabbing of his chin with a tissue as he made his way to the limo.

Hennessy, surely with much on his mind, had cut himself shaving that morning. I knew he was fully behind Froch, but now he can say he has given blood for his fighter!

Robin Chipperfield will be covering Froch's fight for BBC Radio Nottingham, and will be writing regular reports for bbc.co.uk/nottingham

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